Alford b



UNITED STATES PATENT OFFICE.

ALFORD B. WILTON, OF DORCHESTER, MASSACHUSETTS, ASSIGNOR TO HIMSELF ANDGHAS. ADAMS, OF SAME PLAGE.

HEEL FOR BOOTS AND SHOES.

Specification of Letters Patent No. 24,269, dated May 31, 1859.

'To all whom it may concern:

Be it known that I, ALFoRD B. WILTON, of Dorchester, in the county ofNorfolk and State of Massachusetts, have invented a new and usefulImprovement in Elastic Heel- Caps or Heels for Boots or Shoes; and I dohereby declare that the same is fully described and represented in thefollowing` specification and the accompanying drawings, of which- Figurel, is an underside view of an india rubber heel or heel cap, having myimprovement. F ig. 2, is a front edge view. Fig. 3, a transversesection, and Fig. 4, a longitudinal section of it.

The nature of my improvement consists in constructing the outerbearingsurface or tread of the heel ordheel cap concave, or with aconcavity and an air channel or groove leading into the concavity,whereby there is not only ensured to the heel a better foothold, but itis prevented from adhering to the pavement by means of atmosphericpressure while it may be in use.

In the drawings, A, denotes the heel or outer lift of a heel, it beingmade of an elastic material such as india rubber, or a vulcanizedcaoutchouc composition. Its eX- ternal surface, or that which is to comenext to the ground when the heel is applied to a boot or shoe is to bemade concave as shown at a, and to be furnished with an air inlet orgroove, b, leading out of the same and through the front part of theheel. The heel may be furnished with cavities c, c, for the reception ofthe heads of nails or screws, used in securing it to the sole of a shoeor boot.

A concave heel affords a better foothold on snow or ice than .the planesurface heel, but when made without the air passage I), it is liable toadhere to wet surfaces and hold thereto by pressure of the atmosphere.The groove, o, relieves all such diiculty, and aids in securing afoothold. face of the heel is to be made flat or of other proper shapeto enable it to be applied to a sole. f

What I claim is- The improvement of the dished or concave elastic heelas made with the air channel, b, leading out of the concavity, a, andarranged substantially as described.

Witnesses:

R. H. EDDY, F. P. HALE, Jr.

The upper sur.

